Alex Jensen is one of the most prolific runners in Seattle U history. Jensen competed for the Redhawks from 2020-2025, and earned school records for the outdoor 800 meter run, as well as the indoor distance medley relay. He always had aspirations of coaching, and when an assistant coach position became available over the summer, Jensen seized the opportunity to return to Seattle U. He sat down for this Q and A to discuss the transition to coaching, and more.
Q: What did the transition from finishing your collegiate career to becoming a coach look like?
A: It was a rollercoaster. My plan was to take the summer off, and then start a masters in education program to become a high school science teacher and coach, and my ultimate goal was to take that step to college coaching eventually. But I got to skip the ‘eventually.’ During the summer, I saw that this position was open. I got it, and I’m loving it.
Q: Does being a former student athlete here help with the transition to coaching?
A: It gives an edge, especially in recruiting. I don’t have to re-learn who we are and what we stand for as far as a program and as a school and general. I get to tell about my experience and how great of a time I had. It’s easy to talk about a program that you had so much fun being a part of, because you love the culture that you helped build.
Q: What is the dynamic like being a coach to so many student athletes who you were teammates and friends with last year?
A: It’s a funny crew here, they keep me on my toes, definitely. But they have respect for me, and I have respect for them. It doesn’t change much from last year – I wanted the best for them last year, as a teammate, and I want the best for them this year, as a coach.
Q: How would you describe your leadership style as a coach?
A: I’m definitely relationship-focused, that’s the foundation for everything. For a coach, you have to be a good teacher, but you also have to be a good leader, and prioritize servant leadership.
Q: What is your relationship like with head coach Jordana LeSavage?
A: She was assistant coach for a little bit, and then my head coach for one year, so our relationship just built throughout the years. Now, being her assistant coach, I’m just working hard for her. I want her to succeed so much, as well as this program, and I’m going to do everything I can to make her and this program succeed.
Q: What makes Seattle University special?
A: Everyone has a common theme of relationships as their foundation of how they run each program, and the university as a whole. That’s part of why I was so excited to be back on staff, because of those relationships, and that culture that I experienced when I was here.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: I’m going to coach as long as I can. That’s what I wanted long-term, and that process of becoming a high school science teacher and high school coach got expedited right to college. I’m learning a lot right now, and I’m just trying to take as many notes as possible, and learn from everyone. Long-term, I want to become a coach, and stay a coach.
Q: Why do you love running?
A: I like to see how good I can get in something that I love to do. That’s the internal part, and the external part is that I’m running and coaching for all the people that believed in me, like Jordana, my past coaches, my family, and all the people that helped me get here.